Antarctica - Kayaking in Antarctica

We're scheduled to cruise w/ Quark to Antarctica in February and have signed up for a kayaking option. Kayaking costs extra, but it does seem pretty cool (no pun intended), and hopefully we're not missing out on too much we'd otherwise see. My slight concern is we're not really experienced kayakers, which is to say, we have kayaked maybe once, ever, and that was in the relatively placid waters of West Virginia (I may have also kayaked 20 years ago in summer camp in Maine). The written materials we've received so far from Quark seem to assume a greater level of competency than we possess. Should I be worried, or should I just assume, hey no prob, we'll figure it out as we go? Although kayaking seems like a fun thing to do, I'd prefer not to capsize or harm myself or my wife (who feels similarly, particularly as to the last point).

Many thanks.

Kayaking is a regular part of Lindblad expedition trips. Lindblad uses inflatable, two-person kayaks. They provide an on-deck briefing early in the trip to get people familiar with the equipment.

The kayaks are always deployed in calm or protected waters (certainly so in the Arctic). A zodiac or two are always on patrol - sometimes stopping by with hot chocolate and rum for the paddlers :)

Waving your kayak paddle in the air gets their attention if you need it.

I'm not a strong paddler, so I usually didn't go sa far as the others did.

What is it about the Quark documentation that leads you to believe that previous experience might be required.

What is it about the Quark documentation that leads you to believe that previous experience might be required.

This is from a recent e-mailing from Quark: "Previous kayaking experience is strongly recommended. Try to rent a kayak, or take a lesson for a few hours if you feel you need more experience or to get used to paddling a boat efficiently. Practice getting in and out of a kayak, use of the rudder, forward, backward and bracing strokes as well as an emergency wet exit. Professional guides will be onboard to assist and offer coaching to improve paddling performance." As I said, we went kayaking in West Virginia in May so that we at least would have kayaked once within the last 20 years. But I don't think we're going to have time to do anything else between now and our Antarctica. We can probably cancel the kayaking option if we really want to, but it's something I want to do if possible. :) Thanks.

Hmmm

I'll be able to give you first hand Antarctic advice in December :)

I was kayaking above the arctic circle just a few months ago. The water almost everywhere was completely flat, and paddling was as hard or easy as your experience and conditioning make it.

I can't imagine that you will be anything other than fine. They will adjust the rudder for you, though you probably will not need the rudder in flat seas.

If you have been on a kayak once, I think you will remember enough to have a great time. Just my opinion.

I've done four Lindblad trips that included kayaking in the last two years. Alaska, Baja, Galapagos, and Arctic Norway. Antarctica in December. It will be a piece of cake.

Which ship will you be on?

Hello OP,

Let me chime in. I kayaked on the Lindblad tour in Antarctica (in fact, Birdstrike had the same room as I) and found it really easy. I didn't have any kayaking experience. The water is smooth as glass. There is zero white water. I was afraid at first, but I got in my kayaking partner paddled around the area. It was fun!

I'm sure if I had kayaking experience then I could have paddled faster and had more fun. But I thoroughly enjoyed the kayaking experience.


Do it!

David

Thanks very much birdstrike and DavidHatt for the encouragement. As I said, it's something I'd like to do, although I have some concerns that we'll be "missing out" on seeing things on shore by kayaking (most of the other people don't kayak on this trip, and a sizable supplement ($700/pp.) is required for it). But I figure we'll see interesting things kayaking as well. :)

We're going to be on the Akademic Ioffe, on the Feb. 2 - 16, 2008, cruise ("Crossing the Circle"), run by Quark. I booked this way back in October 2007, so I'm amazed that we're finally nearing our departure date...

I know there are some people who have been on Quark trips who post here from time to time.

I think we will need to hear from them about Quark-style kayaking. Lindblad will give you an hour or so in a kayak three or four times during the trip, if you want. <ost people go at least once.

There is no surcharge, nor would I expect one given the simplicity of the operation.

Quark must do something more elaborate, methinks.

Hello OP,

SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS! :eek: Now that changes a few things.... kayaking in Antarctica was fun and I'm glad I did it.. but SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS??!!! :eek:

Like Birdstrike said: look to see what you're getting for SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS and then make your decision.

But ability-wise, unless you're severely incapacitated, then you're good to go.

Lindblad's kayaking was part of the trip. ^

David

Hello OP,

SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS! :eek: Now that changes a few things.... kayaking in Antarctica was fun and I'm glad I did it.. but SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS??!!! :eek:

Like Birdstrike said: look to see what you're getting for SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS and then make your decision.


Thanks for the responses. I spoke with Quark, and they don't really have a compelling answer for why it's so pricey, other than that kayaking requires them to include two kayaking masters (or some term like that) on board, which means that the cost of not selling those berths is spread over the various kayaking participants. Apparently each morning the kayaking folks discuss what the conditions are and whether each participant wants to go onto the water or to instead go ashore. So, maybe that's a difference, that the kayaking isn't just a one-time thing. But I don't really know why it's so expensive...

Hello. I'm probably going to go on an antarctica trip in December [yes, very last minute!] and would love to hear and suggestions or pointers that veterans have.

The boat I'll be going on also offers kayaking and I'm planning to participate. They do also charge - 695$ i think, so in the same range. When speaking with the booking agent, she indicated that they only let experienced kayakers go [i am] and that one of the reasons for the extra charge is that they bring decent sea kayaks - not blow up ones. I would suggest you find a kayak club in your area that hosts rolling classes in a pool in the winter. i'm in NYC and there are several here. You don't need to know how to roll, but you will want to be comfortable sitting in the boat and getting the feel of the motion as you move your hips. Basically to ensure you don't get wet, which you don't want to in that water. I think the boats provide dry suits. Know that they keep you dry, not warm. you should bring warm wicking clothing to wear underneath.... no cotton.

If I learn more during my research I'll let you know. Likewise, please advise of anthing i should know before leaving. Thanks!

What organization are you going with that provides dry-suits? That seems like overkill for the conditions.

I would suggest you find a kayak club in your area that hosts rolling classes in a pool in the winter. i'm in NYC and there are several here.

Kayango, would you mind PM'ing me the names of any NYC kayak clubs you recommend? We will be in New York for about three weeks before our trip, and might try to do a class before we leave. Thanks.

StormPetrel: Quark also provides dry suits. A recent mailing from Quark says, "We will provide you with kayak safety vests, a dry suit, and the other items mentioned in the preparation notes.

Sorry but i haven't yet figured out how to send a private message [please help].

My club, New York Kayak Polo, is hosting some intro sessions and will probably do rolling jointly with another club at our winter home - St. Peter's College, Jersey City, NJ - but i don't yet know the dates other than an intro to polo on 23 nov. The Downtown Boathouse holds rolling sessions every saturday and sunday in Riverbank State Park @ 135th street and Riverside Dr through March. the schedule is on their website: http://www.downtownboathouse.org/calendar.html. The Yonkers Rowing and Paddling Club as well as the AMC also hold sessions at various places throughout the general NY metro area.

I would not go paddling Antarcitca without a dry suit. The issue is the water temp which I'm pretty sure is cold given all the icebergs. Hypothermia sets in pretty quickly when wet and cold. We use them paddling in NYC beginning pretty soon although we don't typically have near 70degree weather this time of year as we did today!

The boat I'm hoping to be on is the Ocean Nova. Anyone have experience with it or that can provide some general guidance for such a trip?

Quark definitely provides drysuits, and there are definitely novices in the kayak groups that sign up. I wouldn't worry about it - I think you are going to have an amazing time.

Quark definitely provides drysuits, and there are definitely novices in the kayak groups that sign up. I wouldn't worry about it - I think you are going to have an amazing time.

Sadly, because of many factors, my wife has decided that spending $1,400 for the privilege of kayaking is just too much. So, we cancelled the kayaking res., which Quark was fine with (I assume there's a waiting list). Interestingly, next year, the kayaking cost goes up to $800/pp., and the camping on the ice, previously free, will now be $200/pp.